Paul Schiernecker

Author: Paul

  • Music Jar – week 29

    Each week, I listen to a new band or artist, based on recommendations from those I trusted enough to throw names in at the start of the year. This week was the turn of alternative rock group, Wolf Alice.

    What I Knew Before
    I knew some of Wolf Alice’s songs, had probably heard their first album, but they certainly signify a point where I stopped knowing about the cool new music and listened to everything I knew from 2004 – 2010 ad nauseam. There was an episode of the excellent Song Exploder where they broke down Don’t Delete The Kisses. Regardless of my interest in the band and that song, it takes everything in my being not to call it Kisses On The Bottom, which is the unfortunate title of Paul McCartney’s fifteenth studio album.

    What I Know Now
    Wolf Alice are from a city I used to know, called London. They are a four-piece band fronted by Ellie Rowsell (who I obviously have a crush on) and who remain one of the most exciting British rock bands of recent years. Their second album, Visions Of A Life, won the Mercury Prize in 2018. They described their music as “the lovechild of folk and grunge” and if there was ever a soundbite that was going to appeal to me then it was that.
    I have missed out by not being into Wolf Alice when live music was a thing that we could actively participate in. I hope they and it return to us soon.

    Favourite songs:
    Don’t Delete The Kisses, Silk, Fluffy and Teenage Headache Dreams.

    Favourite album:
    This is a real Sophie’s Choice, but it has to be My Love Is Cool.

  • Music Jar – week 28

    Each week, I listen to a different artist, pulled at random from a pickle jar I keep on my drinks caddy. This was was the turn of scribble-faced rapper, Post Malone.

    What I Knew Before
    I thought that Post Malone was short for Post Office Malone. I was familiar with his two biggest hits; Sunflower and Circles. I had seen pictures of him. I guess you would call him striking-looking. That was about it.

    What I Know Now
    Post Malone, or Austin Richard Post as his dad calls him when he’s in trouble, was born in Syracuse, New York. His music is a heady mix of hip hop beats combined with country (linked to his time in Texas) and R&B. He seems to be a real fan of music, citing Bob Dylan as a huge influence and DJing at an emo night in LA. He’s certainly the produce of his tastes and it’s great to hear something that sounds so refreshing and different alongside being an area of music that I wouldn’t immediately think had much to offer me.

    Favourite songs: 
    Circles, Sunflower and Wow.

    Favourite album:
    Stoney.

  • Music Jar – week 27

    Each week, I listen to an artist I’ve never really got into. This week has only been slightly impaired by listening to the Hamilton soundtrack on repeat but my artist of choice was Mexico City’s very best, Mexrrissey.

    What I Knew Before
    Weirdly, I saw Mexrrissey a few years ago when they blessed Camden with their presence and performed at the Electric Ballroom. They combine the music of The Smiths with Latin beats and rhythms. The excellent part of this is that you can listen to The Smiths without having to think about the terrible person that Morrissey has become.

    What I Know Now
    Pretty much as above, but I’ve learnt that they only have one album; No Manchester, released in 2016.

    Favourite songs:
    El Primero del Gang, International Playgirl, Entré Más Me Ignoras, Más Cerca Estaré

    Favourite album:
    No Manchester

  • Music Jar – week 26

    Each week, I listen to a different musical artist, having taken the name from my elusive pickle jar (not a euphemism). This week was the turn of the woman who can do anything, Anne Erin Clark or as you may know her, St Vincent.

    What I Knew Before: 
    I knew St Vincent from her excellent first couple of albums as well as her performance with Nirvana in 2014 where she did an exceptional version of Lithium. I was also aware of her dating history, because she has fantastic taste. More than anything, she’s an exceptional guitarist, who tends to be overlooked, just because she’s a woman. I’ll add a video of her being a guitar god.

    What I Know Now:
    St Vincent has realised albums since 2014, which is probably the last time I had any kind of musical awareness. One of those was with David Byrne, who is obviously an absolute hero. Imagine the music they made together. I don’t need to, because I’ve listened to it a lot this week.
    Annie was also in Polyphonic Spree and Sufjan Stevens’ touring band.

    Favourite songs:
    Now, Now, Los Ageless, Fast Slow Disco, Weekend In The Dust.

    Favourite album: 
    Love This Giant.

  • Music Jar – week 25

    Inspired by A Beautiful Mess, I started my own Music Jar. I asked friends for band recommendations and am working through them over the course of 2020. This week was the turn of Norwegian truth-sayer, St. Thomas, the performing name of Thomas Hansen.

    What I Knew Before
    Absolutely zip. I was sat on my lunch break at work, putting my list together, when my friend Tom made the suggestion. He’s a gentleman with an eclectic taste in music, so I figured it was worth a throw.

    What I Know Now
    I am richer for the experience of having heard St. Thomas. I was initially won over by his whimsical lyrics and piercing Neil Young-esque vocals.
    On my second day of listening, I mentioned it to Tom and he recommended I also watch the documentary, Burn The Place You Hide. This helped me understand a lot more about where the music was coming from.
    Thomas Hansen formed St. Thomas after listening to Elliott Smith and quitting his job as a postman. He had a unique and beautiful way of looking at the world and truthfully using the content of his own life in his own music. Throughout his life, he struggled with depression and social anxiety and this led to issues with drink and drugs as he attempted to self medicate.
    Hansen was unapologetically himself, insisting that the first take of each song be used on a given album, and refusing to perform if the conditions were not perfect.
    He was no angel, prone to bouts of self deprecation or micro-aggressions, but there was nothing in his actions which would justify the sad end that he met.

    Favourite songs:     Be Cool Be Nice, The Cornerman, The Cool Song, Along Long Time, Born Again.

    Favourite Album: I don’t want to pick. Mysterious Walks, Hey Harmony and I’m Coming Home all get my vote.

  • Music Jar – week 24

    At the start of 2020, when we had no idea what a horrific trash fire this year would become, I put the names of 52 musical artists into a pickle jar. They were all recommended to me by friends or musicians that I knew I should know more about but had never had the time to get into.
    Each Monday, I take out a name and listen to that band for the week.
    This week was the turn of Kettering-born psychedelic rockers, Temples.

    What I Knew Before:
    It is possible that I had heard some Temples songs before. I’m fairly sure that Sarah, who is responsible for them being on this list, told me to listen to them after she invited me to go and see them a few months ago. I am gutted that I didn’t take her up on the offer.

    What I Know Now:
    Temples are 100% my bag. I don’t know what I wasn’t listening to them before. My only excuse is that they rose to prominence, as an NME band, after my tenure. I used to know all of the cool new bands, then I got older and I couldn’t keep up. It hurts my little indie heart to know that music is moving on without me.
    Temples have three albums; Sun Structures, Volcano and Hot Motion. All three are excellent. I have also dipped into the Sun Restructured album (thanks for the tip-off Ben), a remix of their first that sounds even trippier.
    For those who haven’t heard Temples before; there’s elements of The Beatles and The Rolling Stones at their most experimental, alongside Empire of the Sun and MGMT, if you want something more recent and tangible to cling to.

    Favourite songs: Certainty, Sand Dance, Shelter Song, Hot Motion and You’re Either On Something.

    Favourite album: They are all worthy of your time, but Volcano clinches it. 

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project.

     

  • Music Jar – week 23

    Each week, I take the name of an artist from a pickle jar and listen to them, learning as I go.
    This week was the turn of Seattle-born rapper, Benjamin Hammond Haggerty aka Macklemore.
    What with one thing and another, I’ve been somewhat distracted from my usual tasks but I did listen to both Macklemore albums a few times through to get a grip of the Mac – is that okay to say?

    What I Knew Before:
    I knew the name. I knew he had a penchant for thrift shops, hence his song, Thrift Shop. That’s about it.

    What I Know Now:
    Not much more than that to be honest. I found out that he works with Ryan Lewis, a name I hadn’t been familiar with before, despite having heard some of their Billboard smashes.
    I will say this, the pair of them are clearly onto a winning formula. There’s something bright and catchy about their music and I could listen again.

    Favourite song: 
    Thrift Store, Good Old Days, Summer Days – he seems to like days.

    Favourite album:
    GEMINI.

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project.

  • Music Jar – week 22

    And here we go again. Each week, I take the name of a musician I don’t know enough about from a jar and listen to them, learning more as I go.
    This week was the turn of experimental hip-hop outfit, clipping. (yes, it’s stylised like that).

    What I Knew Before:
    Absolutely nothing. They were a recommendation from my friend, Palmar.
    What I Know Now:
    clipping. are a collaboration between three friends who met in school/college born of a remix project for their own amusement. They have since gone on to release a mixtape and three albums on Subpop.
    Interestingly, this was the first time that, despite a few interesting tracks, I simply could not get along with a musical artist. I really enjoyed the flow of the raps but the static and white noise used throughout made me feel anxious. And that’s fine. clipping. may not be for me and I’m okay with that. There’s plenty of noise I can get behind.
    Favourite song(s): Nothing is Safe, Story 2 and Work Work.
    Favourite album: midcity

  • Music Jar – week 21

    Inspired by Larson House, I am listening to artists I have never indulged in before. Each week, I take an artist suggested to me by friends, from the jar and listen to them for the week.
    This week was the turn of Norwegian alt-rock band, Madrugada.

    What I Knew Before: This is one of the few artists that I knew absolutely nothing about. I was on lunch at work, discussing the project with my friend Sarah, who is doing the same as we speak. We were both recommended Madrugada by the wonderful Lefteris. When I told him that they had been pulled this week, he told me they were more of a winter band. There’s nothing I can do about that. The name was out of the jar and the rules must be obeyed. I’m not Dominic Cummings.
    What I Know Now: Madrugada are a Norwegian rock band, formed by Sivert Høyem, Robert Burås and Frode Jacobsen. The band’s name comes from the Spanish word for the blue hour before dawn. Allmusic describe them as “bareboned blues-inspired alt-rock, which is 100% my bag.
    After Burås passed away in 2007, the others decided to finish what would be their final, and self-titled, album.
    Favourite songs: Majesty, The Kids Are On High Street and Blood Shot Adult Commitment.
    Favourite album: Grit.

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project.

  • Music Jar – week 20

    Each week, I take an artist from a pickle jar on my bar caddy and try to indulge in their discography for a week. What with one thing and another, this sometimes proves slightly difficult and my brain is unable to process at the best of times. 
    This week was the turn of Roberta Joan “Joni” Mitchell.

    What I Knew Before: I was likely introduced to JM by the soundtrack to Almost Famous, which is responsible for any number of my hot musical takes. The song River, which appears on Blue, not only makes the soundtrack but the cover of the album also features as young William lovingly strokes his sister’s vinyl collection while their mother declares that Simon & Garfunkel are on drugs. 
    I also know that a Joni Mitchell album is not an appropriate present for your wife after you’ve bought that tramp in the office a hideous and overpriced necklace. 
    What I Know Now: Joni Mitchell may just be a prophet. Her wide collection of albums are sombre and sad. She leaves a legacy that was uncompromisingly her own and she garnered so much respect for that. If anything, I wish I had more time to sit with her music and understand it. The project forces me to press on but Mitchell is in my heart.
    It’s clear she’s been an influence on ,many artists I have now come to love including Laura Marling, Rufus Wainwright and of course, Taylor Swift. 
    Favourite song(s): River, Big Yellow Taxi, Both Sides Now and California. 
    Favourite album(s): There’s no question about it right. Everyone has a favourite Joni Mitchell album. It’s the same Joni Mitchell album. It’s Blue. 

    Spotify my favourite songs from this project.